A Syrian Dream
Fawzi, Jordan
When the Syrian war broke out in 2011 it caused an exodus of 5.5 million refugees to neighbouring countries. These included Jordan, a country that now hosts 650,000 Syrians, as well as Iraqi, Yemeni, Sudanese and Somali refugees. Jordan has the second highest refugee population per capita in the world. About 85 per cent of refugees in Jordan are urban-based, with the remainder in camps, the largest of which is Zaatari, close to the Syrian border. Since 2012, Zaatari has evolved from a collection of tents to an urban settlement of 76,000 people. Residents are supported by UNHCR, as well as NGOs and the Jordanian government. About 20 per cent are under 5. Football plays a key role, with UNHCR running initiatives for children.
Fawzi, 21, has played with Al Sarih Sport Club and Al-Hussein SC (Irbid). He plays with Alkass international academy in Zaatari camp and has been selected to participate in football initiatives such as the Aspire Academy in Qatar and the Syrian Dream football project in 2017.
Can you tell us your personal story?
I am a football coach, I was playing back in Syria and I was a professional player. I started playing football with al-Shul’a football team in Syria in 2009. I left Daraa in Syria because of the war. I have been playing sport since I was a child, and because of that, sports are my life. I can't even imagine my life without it.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
The photos are of Blumont students in the playgrounds of District 5. Blumont runs the UNHCR community centers. The students are refugees who attend the community's activities. I tried to demonstrate the children’s suffering and represent their story.
Why is football important to you?
Football was a hobby at the beginning, but after that when I became a professional player, it took an important role in my life. Football is everything in my life. I adore it. I wish to be a professional and international football player with high quality skill.
Football is a way that I am able to live a relatively normal life, to hope for a better future and to keep me motivated to train while living in a refugee camp.
Do you play football now with any Jordanian people?
I play with my Jordanian friends. Most of them are from the Jordanian National Olympic team. They are the best people and they respect me. They are the best people I have ever dealt with in my life. My experience in playing with a strong Jordanian sports team, participating in their matches and practices, was more than amazing. I hope that in the future I will be a professional player, join an international team and become famous.
How important is football in your community?
Football is very important because our community doesn’t have a lot of enjoyable options. Playing football is the best way to use our energy.
